UPDATE: One eastbound lane on 10th Street near 71st Avenue to remain closed until repairs made

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A gas leak on 10th Street in west Greeley forced the closure of the major thoroughfare for several hours Friday.

Greeley police Sgt. Mike Heck said Atmos Energy crews were working on a project in the area of 10th Street and 71st Avenue when they discovered a gas leak. He said the leak continued to grow throughout the day. About 3 p.m., authorities decided that gas levels made it too dangerous for motorists to drive through the area. Police shut down both directions of traffic on 10th Street between 59th and 71st avenues.

Darwin Winfield, manager of public affairs for Atmos Energy, said Atmos crews had the leaking gas line turned off by 5:30 p.m. Friday, and by 9:30 p.m. gas service had been restored to the Greeley fire station at 6623 W. 10th St. Winfield also said crews were able to reopen both westbound lanes of 10th Street by 9:30 p.m., but one eastbound lane will remain closed for 500-700 feet running east from 71st Avenue until further repairs can be made Monday.

Crews had opened one lane in each direction on 10th Street between 59th and 71st Avenues by about 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Heck said Atmos crews worked with members of the Greeley Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team to monitor gas levels throughout the day. In that area, 10th Street also is known as U.S. 34, and Colorado Department of Transportation crews also were on scene.

The gas levels were not so high as to force any evacuations of nearby property, Heck said.